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RSS
asks Advani to oversee BJP succession plan
New Delhi:
The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) reportedly asked the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership this morning to
work on a blueprint that it has handed over to ensure a
smooth succession. According to sources, Leader of Opposition
LK Advani has been asked to preside over the exercise. Sources
also said that Advani had been told to step down after ensuring
speedy implementation of the plan, but the RSS has left
the timing of Advani's exit to him. Sources also said that
the BJP is likely to announce the succession plan shortly.
It is being reported that Sushma Swaraj, currently the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is likely to
replace Advani as Leader of Opposition in the same House.
There are also reports that the RSS wants the BJP president
being someone from outside Delhi circles. These latest developments
come shortly after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had a breakfast
meeting with Advani this morning, and it is believed that
both discussed a proposed succession plan for the latter.
The leaderships of the two organisations reiterated that
they were united in working on solutions to end the present
crisis in the BJP. Sunday's breakfast meeting between Advani
and Bhagwat was the second between the two. Today's meeting
took place even as senior RSS leader Madan Das Devi told
a press conference that he was confident about the BJP taking
appropriate steps to resolve all of its problems. At Sunday's
breakfast meeting Bhagwat was accompanied by Madandas Devi,
and it is expected that discussions on a new roadmap for
the BJP, including a possible change of leadership, will
continue.
Flood
cripples normal life in eleven Bihar districts Top
Patna: Over
15 lakh people continue to reel under a deluge in Bihar's
11 districts, as all rivers in the state are in spate. According
to the Central Water Commission sources, there seems to
be no let-up in the overall flood situation in Bihar as
the rivers Kosi, Mahananda, Bagmati, Kamala balan and Adhwara
and their tributaries are flowing above the danger level
at many places in the state. Standing crops and houses worth
several crores of rupees have been destroyed in the floods,
state Disaster Management department sources added. The
State Water Resources Department said, "All embankments
in Bihar are safe and flood-fighting continues at places
where the rivers are putting pressure on the embankments."
The Bihar Government has undertaken relief and rescue operations.
The Centre has deployed over 1000 boats and National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) personnel to assist the efforts of
the state government. The government is distributing the
relief packets containing foodgrains, candles, kerosene
oil, polythene sheets, salt, milk powder and other essential
materials to the affected people.
15
Pak trainee policemen killed in Mingora suicide attack Top
Islamabad:
At least 15 security personnel were killed and several others
injured in a suicide attack on a police station in Mingora
on Sunday. The attack took place when a suicide attacker
blew himself up on the training ground near the police station
where the security personnel had gathered for a training
session. The attacker reached the training ground and blew
himself among the trainee policemen killing 15 people on
the spot besides injuring many, The News reports. Casualties
are feared to rise as several policemen were said to be
in critical condition while being shifted to different hospitals
of the District. Curfew has been imposed in the area following
the attack. This was the second suicide attack targeting
security personnel in less than a week. On Thursday, 22
Khasadar Force personnel were killed and 20 others were
injured in Torkham area of Khyber Agency in a suicide attack.
The Tehrik -e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had taken the responsibility
for Thursday's attack saying it was their 'first revenge'
for the death of their leader Baitullah Mehsud. "We claim
responsibility for the blast. This is our first response
since the death of our chief Baitullah Mehsud. We will continue
similar attacks in the future also," TTP spokesman Azam
Tariq had said.
MJ's
kids to place 'Goodbye Daddy' notes in his coffin Top
London:
Michael Jackson's kids have written 'Goodbye Daddy' notes
which will be placed in his coffin on his burial day, his
brother Marlon has revealed. The notes will be placed in
his coffin alongside the singer's trademark single white
glove. He has mentioned that the King of Pop singer will
be provided a special wig to give him flowing shoulder-length
locks and that a make-up artist has painted his face to
see him buried as if he was taking to the stage. "This will
be a private ceremony. His hairstylist has made his hair
special and a make-up artist has gone in and fixed him up
so he's ready for the big day," the Mirror quoted him as
saying. He added: "This is the final step, the final curtain
will be closed as regards to Michael's life." Jackson died
of an alleged heart attack on June 25 at his LA home.
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